Women's Volleyball

SYKES CAPTURES A-10 DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK HONOR

Sep 22, 2014

RICHMOND, Va. – Days after leading VCU to a 3-0 weekend, senior Janelle Sykes (Clifton, Va.) has been named Atlantic 10 Conference Defensive Player of the Week.

A 6-foot-3 middle blocker, Sykes averaged 1.23 blocks per set as the Rams topped Virginia, Ball State and East Tennessee State in the VCU Invitational. She provided seven blocks in VCU's thrilling 3-2 win over Virginia. She also spiked a career-high 20 kills in that contest, including eight on 12 attempts in the fifth set tiebreaker.

Sykes also produced 18 kills and hit .410 in a 3-2 win over Ball State Saturday, and hit .667 with eight kills Friday against East Tennessee State.

Through 12 matches, Sykes leads VCU in hitting percentage (.322) and blocks per set (1.07) and is second in kills per set (2.91).

Sykes and VCU return to the floor on Tuesday, Sept. 23 when they travel down I-64 to battle longtime in-state rival William & Mary at Kaplan Arena.